Background and Objectives: We evaluated the effect of adding dexmedetomidine to lidocaine and bupivacaine for peribulbar block in two different doses. The primary endpoints were the onset and duration of corneal anesthesia, globe akinesia, and duration of analgesia.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 ASA I-II patients scheduled for elective cataract surgery under peribulbar anesthesia. Patients were randomly allocated to one of three groups of 30 each; group C (control) received 3 ml of 2% lidocaine with 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine; group D 50 received 3 ml of 2% lidocaine with 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 50 ug of dexmedetomidine; and group D 25 received 3 ml of 2% lidocaine with 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine and 25 μg of dexmedetomidine.
Results: The onset of corneal anesthesia and globe akinesia was significantly shorter in group D 50 ( P < 0.001) as compared to group C; however, in Group D 25 onset of corneal anesthesia was significantly faster, but not onset of globe akinesia ( P = 0.45). The duration of corneal anesthesia and globe akinesia was significantly longer ( P < 0.001) in both Group D 50 and Group D 25 in comparison to Group C. Decrease in IOP was observed in both group D 50 and group D 25 at 5 minutes and 10 minutes following peribulbar block which was significant ( P < 0.05) compared to group C.
Conclusion: Addition of dexmedetomidine to lidocaine and bupivacaine in peribulbar block shortens the onset time and prolongs the duration of the block and postoperative analgesia. It also provides sedation which enables full cooperation and potentially better operating conditions.

Background: A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed to observe the effect of tramadol on T-lymphocyte subsets, activated T cell and natural killer (NK) cells of patients undergoing gastric cancer surgeries.
Subjects andMethods: Thirty patients undergoing elective gastric cancer surgeries under general anesthesia were randomly divided into two groups. Before anesthesia induction, Group I did not receive any drugs and Group II received intramuscular tramadol 1 mg/kg. Peripheral venous blood samples were taken before anesthesia, 1 h after incision and postoperation. CD3 + , CD3 + CD4 + , CD3 + CD8 + , CD3–CD16 + CD56 + (NK) cells and CD3 + human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-DR + (activated T cell) were measured by flow cytometer.
Results: One hour after incision, CD3 + , CD3 + CD4+, CD3 + CD4 + /CD3 + CD8 + , CD3 - CD16 + CD56 + , and CD3 + HLA-DR + cells in the experimental and control group were significantly decreased compared with their baselines (P < 0.05), while the values of Group I were lower than those of Group II (P < 0.05). After surgery, the values of Group I were lower than their baselines (P < 0.05). But the values of Group II had no significant difference compared with their baselines.
Conclusion: Tramadol can reduce the decrease of T-lymphocytes subsets and NK cells, thus improve the cellular immune function in the perioperation of gastric cancer.

Situs inversus totalis is an uncommon congenital positional anomaly in which orientation of all asymmetric organs in the body are mirror image of normal morphology. The condition if undetected may pose a diagnostic problem of abdominal pathology. We present a case of situs inversus totalis with acute appendicitis in adult female who was previously unaware of her situs anomaly. A 35-year-old adult female presented with history of acute pain abdomen in left iliac region; clinically, she was diagnosed to be acute diverticulitis. Further investigation with abdominal computerized tomography (CT) and ultrasound imaging confirmed situs inversus with acute appendicitis. Patient underwent emergency laparoscopic appendectomy under general anesthesia; intraoperative electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring was done with reverse lead placement.

The cardiotoxic effect of bupivacaine is a well-known fact that can lead to asystole, and most of the time it is refractory to resuscitative measures. We describe the case of a three-year-old child operated for anorectal malformation (ARM) by abdominal approach. Apart from congenital anomalies, preoperative evaluation was unremarkable. General anesthesia and controlled ventilation were instituted through endotracheal tube (ET). She had an uneventful intraoperative period. Immediately after surgery when local infiltration block was given using 0.25% of bupivacaine (6 ml volume) around the abdominal incision for postoperative analgesia, the patient went into cardiac asystole. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was continued for 60 minutes but the patient could not be revived. At that time we had neither lipid emulsion nor the facility for cardiopulmonary bypass in our hospital setup.

Apert syndrome is autosomal dominant disease associated with multiple craniofacial and limb deformities. These children usually face many orthopedic, orthodental operative procedures. As anesthetist, we face difficulties in airway management due to mid-facial hypoplasia, craniosynostosis. We report a case of Apert syndrome which was referred to us for syndactyly release, focusing on the difficulties and complications related to it.

Aim: Primary To compare effect of 30 ml/kg and 10 ml/kg crystalloid infusion on post-operative nausea and vomiting after diagnostic gynaecological laparoscopy. Secondary To correlate incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting associated with different phases of menstrual cycle.
Study Design: This prospective, randomized, double blinded study was conducted in 200 patients [Group I - 10 ml.kg -1 crystalloid infusion (n0 = 100) and Group II - 30 ml.kg -1 crystalloid infusion (n = 100)] of ASA grades I/II, of either sex in the age group 20-40 years undergoing ambulatory gynaecological laparoscopic surgery. Both groups were compared with respect to post-operative nausea vomiting, hemodynamic parameters and incidence of post-operative nausea and vomiting associated with different phases of menstrual cycle.
Statistical Analysis: Data for categorical variables and continuous variables are presented as proportions and percentages and mean ± SD, respectively. For normally distributed continuous data, the Student t test was used to compare different groups. Categorical data were tested with the Fisher exact test. Pearson or Spearman correlation coefficients for data normally distributed and not normally distributed, respectively, were used to evaluate the relation between 2 variables. P values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results: In the first 4 h after anaesthesia, the cumulative incidence of nausea and vomiting in Group I was 66% as compared to 40% in Group II (P value = 0.036, *S). Anti-emetic use was less in the group II as compared to Group I (13% vs. 20%, P = 0.04). Female patients in the menstrual phase experienced nausea and vomiting in 89.48% of cases as compared to 58.33% and 24.24% during proliferative and secretory phases of menstrual cycle, respectively.

Context: There is a widespread ignorance among the public about the role of anesthesiologists and their responsibilities inside or outside the operating room both in developed and developing countries.
Aims: The present study was conducted to assess the knowledge of literate and illiterate patient about the role of anesthesiologists and their concerns regarding anesthesiology.
Setting and Design: This is a prospective study conducted in a preoperative anesthetic clinic of a large tertiary care hospital. The study consisted of a standard preanesthetic interview and questionnaire.
Materials and Methods : After obtaining permission from the Ethics committee, patients in the age group 18-75 years of either sex undergoing elective surgery were included.The patients were divided into two groups on the basis of their education: Group A: included patient who are illiterate; Group B: included patients who are literate, completed a questionnaire, which was later evaluated.
Statistical Analysis Used: Unpaired t test and correlation r test were used.
Results: There was limited knowledge among both literates and illiterates regarding the perioperative role of anesthesiologists. They wanted to be fully explained about the anesthesiology technique and were keen to meet their anesthesiologist both before and after the surgery.
Conclusion: To eliminate the ignorance among general public regarding the role of anesthesiologists, efforts must be made to educate and generate awareness among the population.

Context: During induction of general anesthesia hypertension and tachycardia caused by tracheal intubation may lead to cardiac ischemia and arrhythmias. Dexmedetomidine attenuates the hemodynamic response to endotracheal intubation and reduces anesthetic requirement.
Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a single pre-induction intravenous dose of dexmedetomidine 1 μg/kg on cardiovascular response resulting from laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation and need for anesthetic agent.
Materials and Methods: Fifty patients scheduled for elective major surgery were randomized into two groups each having twenty five patients-dexmedetomidine group (Group 1) and control group (Group 2). Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and Ramsay sedation score were recorded at 1, 2 and 5 min after completion of administration of study drug. Fentanyl 2 μg/kg was administered to all patients and propofol was given until loss of verbal contact. Intubation was facilitated with vecuronium 0.1 mg/kg i.v. Anesthesia was maintained with oxygen (O 2 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O) 33%: 67% and isoflurane. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was noted at 1 min, 2 min and 5 min after intubation.
Statistical Analysis Used: For statistical analysis of the clinical data obtained, the analysis of variances (ANOVA) with paired t-test was used.
Results: Pretreatment with dexmedetomidine 1 ug/kg attenuated, but did not totally abolish the cardiovascular and catecholamine responses to tracheal intubation after induction of anesthesia.In our present study, HR, SBP, DBP all increased after intubation at 1, 2, 3 and 5 min in both the groups, but the rise was significantly less in the dexmedetomidine group. Requirement of propofol was significantly less in the dexmedetomidine group.
Conclusions: Preoperative administration of a single dose of dexmedetomidine blunted the hemodynamic responses during laryngoscopy, and reduced anesthetic requirements.

Background: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia induced intraoperative hemodynamic responses which should be attenuated by appropriate premedication. The present study was aimed to compare the clinical efficacy of clonidine and fentanyl premedication during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for attenuation of hemodynamic responses with postoperative recovery outcome.
Subjects and Methods : In this prospective randomized double blind study 64 adult consented patients of either sex with ASA I and II, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and met the inclusion criteria, were allocated into two groups of 32 patients. Group C patients have received intravenous clonidine 1μg kg -1 and Group F patients have received intravenous fentanyl 2μg kg -1 5 min before induction. Anesthetic and surgical techniques were standardized. All patients were assessed for intraoperative hemodynamic changes at specific time and postoperative recovery outcome.
Results : Premedication with clonidine or fentanyl has attenuated the hemodynamic responses of laryngoscopy and laparoscopy. Clonidine was superior to fentanyl for intraoperative hemodynamic stability. No significant differences in the postoperative recovery outcome were observed between the groups. Nausea, vomiting, shivering and respiratory depression were comparable between groups.
Conclusion : Premedication with clonidine or fentanyl has effectively attenuated the intraoperative hemodynamic responses of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: Anesthesia and surgery-induced neuroendocrine stress response can be modulated by appropriate premedication. The present study was designed to assess the clinical efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus fentanyl premedication for modulation of neuroendocrine stress response by analyzing the perioperative variation of blood glucose level during laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia.
Subjects and Methods: In a prospective randomized double-blind study, 60 adult consented patients of either sex with ASA I and II, scheduled for elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anesthesia and meeting the inclusion criteria, were allocated into two groups. Group D patients ( n = 30) were given intravenous dexmedetomidine 1μg/kg and Group F patients ( n = 30) received fentanyl 2 μg/kg, given over a 10-min period, before induction of anesthesia. Perioperative blood glucose levels were analyzed preoperatively, at 30 min after beginning of surgery, and 2.5 h after surgery. Anesthetic and surgical techniques were standardized. All patients were also assessed for intraoperative hemodynamic changes of heart rate and mean arterial pressure at specific timings.
Results: Blood glucose concentration has shown 20% increase after surgery. The differences between groups were not statistically significant as observed by analyzing the variation of serial perioperative blood glucose estimation. Both premedicants had attenuated the hemodynamic and neuroendocrine stress response of pneumoperitoneum and general anesthesia. The dexmedetomidine group showed more stabilization of intraoperative hemodynamics of mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate when compared to fentanyl group.
Conclusion: During the laparoscopic cholecystectomy, dexmedetomidine and fentanyl, both premedicants have effectively modulated the neuroendocrine stress response of general anesthesia as assessed by analysis of perioperative blood glucose variation, but dexmedetomidine was better.

Background: The i-gel is a novel supraglottic airway device with a soft and non-inflatable cuff. In our study we attempted to evaluate the performance of i-gel as a ventilatory device, as a conduit to blind tracheal intubation using conventional polyvinyl chloride tracheal tube and gastric tube insertion through it.
Materials and Methods: A total of 180 patients of American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I/II undergoing elective surgery under general anesthesia were included in this study. After induction of anesthesia, i-gel was inserted and the following parameters were recorded: Time taken for successful i-gel insertion, airway leak pressures, ease of gastric tube insertion and laryngeal view using fiberscope. Following this blind tracheal intubation was attempted. First attempt and overall success rate in blind tracheal intubation and gastric tube insertion were evaluated and tracheal intubation time was measured. Also presence of any side effects or complication following removal was recorded.
Results: We achieved a 100% success rate in insertion of i-gel and in 171 out of 180 patients; i-gel was inserted in the 1 st attempt itself. We also were able to achieve an overall success rate for blind endotracheal intubation via i-gel in 78.33% cases, and successful gastric tube placement was possible in 92.22%. In our study we also achieved a leak pressure of 25.52 (±2.33) cm of H 2 O.
Conclusion : I-gel may be effectively used for ventilation, nasogastric tube insertion and as a conduit to blind endotracheal intubation with minimal complication and acceptable airway sealing pressures.

Pain control is an important part of dentistry, particularly in the management of children. Behavior guidance, and dose and technique of administration of the local anesthetic are important considerations in the successful treatment of a pediatric patient. The purpose of the present review is to discuss the relevant data on topics involved, and on the current methods available in the administration of local anesthesia used for pediatric dental patients.

A 17-year-old girl was posted for spinal surgery for traumatic spinal injury. The patient was a well-controlled epileptic with history of seizure since 8 years of her age. She was induced with thiopentone sodium and muscle relaxant atracurium was administered. Minutes after that, she had an episode of ventricular tachycardia, this converted to ventricular fibrillation despite of institution of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). CPR was continued for a prolonged period of 45 minutes and after 45 minutes, QRS complexes appeared and later sinus rhythm restored. Next 24 hours, she was kept on mechanical ventilation. Within 24 hours, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) improved and patient was conscious and extubated. We suggest that the neuromuscular blocking drug contributed to an anaphylactic reaction which might be the cause of cardiac arrest and highlight the importance of prolonged resuscitation and successful outcome in this scenario.

Context: There is an impelling need for accurate tests to predict difficult intubation, as failure to achieve endotracheal intubation causes significant morbidity and mortality in anesthetic practice.
Aim: To calculate the validity of the different tests along with their combination and agreement when compared with endotracheal intubation in predicting difficult intubation.
Settings and Design: Operation theaters, analytical study.
Materials and Methods: Three hundred patients aged between 16 and 60 years of American society of anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status I and II, scheduled for elective surgical procedures requiring endotracheal intubation were studied during January-July 2012. Mallampati grade (MP), sternomental distance (SMD), thyromental distance (TMD), and Delilkan and Calder test were recorded for every patient. Endotracheal intubation was performed by an experienced anesthesiologist blinded to the measurements and recorded grading of intubation. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), likelihood ratio (LR), odds ratio (OR), and kappa coefficient of tests individually and in combination were calculated.
StatisticalAnalysisUsed: IBM SPSS software (version 16.0) and Epi-info software (version 3.2).
Results: Difficult and failed intubation was 13.3% and 0.6%, respectively. Difficult intubation increased with age. TMD and Calder test showed highest sensitivity individually and Dellilkan's test showed least sensitivity. Among the combination of tests, MP with SMD and MP with Calder test had the highest sensitivity.
Conclusion: Among individual test TMD and Calder are better predictive tests in terms of sensitivity. Combination of tests increases the chance of prediction of difficult intubation.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transtracheal lidocaine injection to reduce the anesthetic requirements in patients who underwent brachial plexus surgery under general anesthesia.
Settings and Design: This was a prospective randomized controlled study conducted in 40 consecutive adult patients.
Materials and Methods: The patients were randomly allotted to two groups of 20 patients each. Group A patients received a transtracheal injection of 4 ml of 2% lidocaine before induction of anesthesia and group B patients did not receive it. The two groups were compared in terms of intraoperative propofol requirements and hemodynamic parameters.
Statistical Analysis Used: Statistical analysis was done using Student's t-test for independent samples.
Results: The propofol requirements were significantly less in group A in terms of the number of intraoperative events requiring propofol bolus at various time intervals in 3 h duration (4 vs. 77), the number of patients requiring propofol bolus injections (2 vs. 20), propofol infusion (0 vs. 20), and total propofol requirement (6 vs. 377 mg). After induction, patients in group B showed a statistically significant high heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and mean arterial pressure.
Conclusion: The present study showed that the group of patients who received transtracheal block with lidocaine had a reduction in the requirement of the induction agent, propofol, and were more stable hemodynamically in the intraoperative period compared to those patients who did not receive transtracheal lidocaine. We conclude that transtracheal injection of lidocaine performed just prior to induction of general anesthesia is an effective alternative to intraoperative propofol infusion when long-acting muscle relaxants are to be avoided.

Background: Nasal packing after the nasal surgery can be extremely hazardous and can lead to airway complications such as dyspnea and respiratory obstruction.
Objective: The present study aimed at comparing the traditional nasal packing with nasal airway during the immediate postoperative period in patients undergoing fibreoptic endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) under general anaesthesia (GA) with regards to airway management.
Materials and Methods : The study groups consisted of 90 ASA grade I and II patients aged 16 to 58 years who underwent FESS under GA. Patients were randomly assigned into three groups: Group NP, UA and Group BA of 30 patients each. At the end of surgery, Group NP patients were managed with traditional bilateral nasal packing while a presterilized 5 mm ID uncuffed ETT was cut to an appropriate size and inserted into one of the nostrils in UA and bilaterally in BA group patients. During postoperative period following parameters and variables were observed over the next 24 hours: Any respiratory distress or obstruction, pain and discomfort, oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, bleeding episode, ease of suctioning through nasal airway, anaesthesiologists and surgeons satisfaction during postoperative period, discomfort during removal of nasal airway and any fresh bleeding episode during removal of nasal airway. The data was compiled and analyzed using Chi-square test and ANOVA with post-hoc significance. Value of P < 0.05 was considered significant and P < 0.0001 as highly significant.
Results: The post-op mean cardio-respiratory parameters showed significant variations among NP group ( P < 0.05) and the patient of UA and BA groups while intergroup comparison between UA and BA was non-significant ( P > 0.05). Pain and discomfort, bleeding episode, ease of suctioning through nasal airway, pain and bleeding during removal of nasal airway ( P < 0.0001) as well as surgeons and anaesthesiologists satisfaction criteria showed significant results among the NP group as compared to UA and BA groups ( P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The present intervention to maintain airway patency can be termed as excellent with additional benefits like ease of suctioning; oxygen supplementation and a possible haemostatic effect due to pressure on the operated site. The low cost of the modified nasal airway and easily replicable design were the standout observations of the present study.

Context: The administration of opioids intrathecally as a sole anesthetic has proven to be effective in providing adequate surgical anesthesia without much hemodynamic instability.
Aim: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of intrathecal pentazocine as a sole anesthetic drug in patients undergoing lower limb surgeries.
Settings and Design: It was a randomized single blinded study conducted in 60 patients undergoing lower limb surgeries.
Subjects and Methods: The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups of 30 patients in each group. Group A received 2 ml (60 mg) intrathecal pentazocine and Group B received 2 ml intrathecal 0.5% bupivacaine heavy before surgery. Duration of surgery, onset of sensory, and motor blockade and their duration, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and time for first rescue analgesia were statistically analyzed.
Results: Group B showed a statistically significant earlier onset of sensory (2.54 ± 0.87 vs. 3.66 ± 1.10 min) and motor blocks (2.22 ± 0.77 vs. 3.29 ± 1.06 min).The majority of patients in the group A (30%) attained the highest level of sensory block of T11, whereas the majority in group B (33.3%) attained the highest level of sensory block of T8. Majority in the Group A (60%) showed a motor block of Bromage scale Grade III at the beginning of surgery, whereas the majority in Group B (80%) showed a motor block of Bromage scale Grade IV. Duration of sensory block was significantly prolonged in group B (124.33 ± 14.84 vs. 115.60 ± 18.39 min). However, duration of motor blockade was similar in both groups. Group B patients required first analgesia earlier than Group A (5.24 ± 1.98 h vs. 2.48 ± 0.51 h) which was significant. There was no difference between groups with regard to HR intra-operatively. On comparison of the pre-induction MAP between 2 groups, there was no difference. But later on at 1, 3, 5 min intervals, the MAP was less in group B. But at 10 and 15 min there was no significant difference between groups. The significantly reduced MAP in group B was evident again at 30, 45, and 60 min. There was no difference between groups at 90 and 120 min. Group B required first analgesia earlier than group A which was statistically significant.
Conclusions: Because of adequate surgical anesthesia, intraoperative hemodynamic stability and prolonged post-operative analgesia, we recommend the use of intrathecal pentazocine as a sole anesthetic agent for lower limb surgeries.

Background: Morbid obesity magnifies the importance of the fat-blood solubility coefficient of the anesthetic in its relation to emergence and recovery. Using bispectral index (BIS) monitoring for the titration of the administration of inhaled anesthetics such as desflurane may permit a less consumption and more rapid recovery from desflurane anesthesia in morbidly obese patients, which enables earlier maintenance of a patent airway, better protection against aspiration, and better oxygenation.
Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of BIS monitoring on postoperative extubation and recovery times, and intraoperative desflurane consumption in morbidly obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy under general anesthesia using desflurane for maintenance.
Patients and Methods: Forty morbidly obese patients were randomly enrolled in this study and divided into two groups of 20 patients each: Non-BIS group and BIS group. End-tidal desflurane concentration, mean blood pressure, and heart rate were regularly recorded. Recovery times (eye opening to verbal commands, time to extubation, and orientation to time, place, and person) and the time to achieve a modified Aldrete score of ≥ 9 were recorded by blinded study anesthesia nurse. Desflurane consumption was calculated in milliliters through gas usage option of Datex-Ohmeda S/5 anesthesia machine.
Results: The mean end-tidal concentrations of desflurane were significantly decreased in the BIS group compared to the non-BIS group ( P < 0.05). The mean desflurane consumption and cost were significantly lower in the BIS group (124.8 ± 5.1 ml/patient) compared to the non-BIS group (150.6 ± 6.5 ml/patient) ( P < 0.05). Recovery times were significantly shorter in the BIS group versus non-BIS group ( P < 0.05).
Conclusion: The use of BIS monitoring was effective in reducing intraoperative desflurane requirement (cost) and in shortening early recovery times after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese patients without compromising the hemodynamic stability, adequacy of anesthesia, or patient outcome.

Epilepsy is one of the most common encountered neurological disorders. Surgical procedures in epileptic patient throw numerous challenges to the attending anesthesiologist during the perioperative period. Various anesthetic drug interactions with antiepileptics, intraoperative and postoperative seizures management and management of status epilepticus are few considerations which an anesthesiologist can confront both during emergency or elective surgery. The role of anesthesiologist acquires significant dimensions in management of epilepsy ranging from operative procedure, status epilepticus to the intensive care management of such patients. It requires a skilful and clinically precise handling of such patients during pre-op, peri-op and post-op period. Majority of times these patients present with co-morbidities which makes the prophylactic management of epilepsy extremely difficult during surgical procedures. The responsibilities of anesthesiologist involve management of epileptic patients not only during epilepsy and nonepilepsy surgery but for other diagnostic and therapeutic procedures as well where sedation or anesthesia services are required. Postoperative management of such patients include careful observation for any seizures and/or pseudo-seizures so as to manage appropriately. The knowledge regarding various antiepileptic agents and their potential side effects and interactions with anesthetic agents are of prime concern during surgical procedures for epilepsy and nonepileptic surgeries. The present article discusses the various anesthetic implications and considerations during management of such patients for epilepsy and nonepilepsy surgery.

Cardiac arrest, irrespective of its etiology, has a high mortality. This event is often associated with brain anoxia which frequently causes severe neurological damage and persistent vegetative state. Only one out of every six patients survives to discharge following in-hospital cardiac arrest, whereas only 2-9% of patients who experience out of hospital cardiac arrest survive to go home. Functional outcomes of survival are variable, but poor quality survival is common, with only 3-7% able to return to their previous level of functioning. Therapeutic hypothermia is an important tool for the treatment of post-anoxic coma after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. It has been shown to reduce mortality and has improved neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. Nevertheless, hypothermia is underused in critical care units. This manuscript aims to review the mechanism of hypothermia in cardiac arrest survivors and to propose a simple protocol, feasible to be implemented in any critical care unit.

We report a case of a female having systemic lupus erythematosus, who was on steroid therapy and was scheduled for vaginal hysterectomy. She presented with breathlessness on mild exertion, a characteristic facial malar rash, and a platelet count 56,000 cells/cu mm. The patient was given a subarachnoid block with 2.8 ml 0.5% bupivacaine heavy in L3-L4 intervertebral space. Inj. Hydrocortisone 25 mg was given I.V. intraoperatively and repeated every 6 hours for 24 hours. Anesthetic management included considerations of systemic organ involvement, thrombocytopenia, and perioperative steroid replacement. Spinal block can be given with platelet count > 50,000/cumm. Strict asepsis should be maintained for invasive procedures. Maintenance of normothermia decreases the impact of Raynaud's phenomenon.

Background: Tramadol is licensed primarily as an analgesic, but has additional properties, one of which is the ability to increase gastric pH. However, it has not been established if this action is dose related, hence we set out to provide further evidence about this action of tramadol.
Patients and Methods: Fifty-five female adult patients presenting for gynecological surgery were randomized into three groups. After induction, 2.5 ml of gastric juice was aspirated to determine baseline pH, after which groups 1, 2, and 3 received 50 mg, 75 mg, and 100 mg of IV tramadol, respectively. Gastric pH was subsequently assessed every 30 min for as long as the surgery lasted.
Results: There was no significant difference in the pH of the three groups before anesthesia (3.88 ± 0.75, 3.54 ± 0.73, and 3.75 ± 0.70; P = 0.393). Similarly, no significant statistical difference was observed in the pH of the three tramadol groups during the subsequent three readings (pH1: 4.21 ± 0.93, 4.27 ± 0.95, 4.07 ± 0.82; pH2: 4.75 ± 1.00, 4.68 ± 0.94, 4.59 ± 0.78; pH3: 5.33 ± 0.86, 5.13 ± 0.95, 4.97 ± 0.78; P = 0.793, 0.876, and 0.490). There were statistically significant increases in the pH of each group when the baseline pH was compared with the subsequent three readings, with P values of 0.002, 0.0001, 0.001 in the 50 mg group, 0.0001, 0.0001, 0.0001 in the 75 mg group, and 0.008, 0.0001, 0.001 in the 100 mg group.
Conclusion: Our result further confirms that tramadol elevates gastric pH. However, the degree of elevation was not found to be dose dependent.

Introduction: Traditionally laparoscopic cholecystectomy is done under general anesthesia. But recently there is a growing interest to get it conducted under central neuraxial blockade. We conducted a clinical study comprising bupivacaine alone or a combination of bupivacaine and clonidine (2 μg/kg) in thoracic epidural anesthesia for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The aim was to attenuate the undesirable hemodynamic changes due to pneumoperitoneum (PNO) and achieve a better qualitative blockade.
PatientsandMethods: After taking approval from Institutional Ethical Committee, 50 adult patients of ASA grade I and II were divided into two groups; group A where bupivacaine was given with 2 μg/kg of clonidine (Cloneon, Neon) and in group B bupivacaine (Anawin, Neon) was given with 1 ml of saline as placebo. Thoracic epidural was given at the T 9 -T 10 or T 10 -T 11 interspace to obtain a block of T 4 -L 2 dermatome. Hemodynamic parameters like heart rate (HR), noninvasive blood pressure (NIBP), respiratory rate (RR), electrocardiogram (ECG), oxygen saturation (SpO 2 ) and arterial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2 ) were monitored and readings were recorded before and 10 minutes (min.) after the blockade and then at 5 min, 15 min and 30 min after PNO and 15 min after exsufflation.
Results: All the parameters of the patients in group A remained stable but the patients of group B showed an increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and HR at 5, 15 and 30 min after PNO and 15 min after exsufflation as compared to Group A. PaCO 2 , SpO 2 and RR values in both the groups were comparable. In group A, two patients complained of shoulder pain while in group B12 patients complained of shoulder pain.
Conclusion: Thoracic epidural anesthesia for LC is a satisfactory alternative technique in selected cases. Addition of clonidine (2 μg/kg) to bupivacaine produces better qualitative anesthetic conditions. It prevents hemodynamic perturbations produced by pneumoperitoneum and also decreases the incidence of shoulder pain. Thus we strongly advocate the incorporation of clonidine as an adjuvant in thoracic epidural anesthesia for LC.

Context: To Study the outcome following central vein catheterization in patients receiving chemotherapy.
Aims: To Study the outcome of central venous catheterization in terms of difficulty during insertion, duration, incidence of infections and other complications and reasons for removal.
Settings and Designs: Prospective observational study conducted in 100 patients attending to Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute.
Materials and Methods: Both onco-medical and onco-surgical patients who required insertion of central venous catheters were enrolled after ethical approval from June 2008 to November 2010. The study comprised 100 patients.
Statistical Analysis Used: Mean and percentage.
Results: Mean duration of the indwelling catheter was 109 days for Hickman catheter, 39 days for cavafix and 59 days for certofix. Difficulty in insertion and arrhythmias were common complications. There were no incidences of major life threatening complications. Catheter related infection was 30%. The commonest reason for catheter removal was treatment completion 72%. The next frequent cause was catheter infection 14% and patient death 6%.
Conclusions: Even though central venous catheterization is associated with acceptable complications, they serve a useful aid in management of patients on chemotherapy.

Context: This study was undertaken in 100 patients scheduled for lower limb orthopaedic surgeries.
Aim: The objective of this study was to study the effect of addition of intrathecal fentanyl to bupivacaine clonidine mixture on the quality of subarachnoid block and compare it with intrathecal bupivacaine clonidine mixture without fentanyl.
Settings and Design: In this prospective and double blind randomized controlled study, one hundred patients, between 20-40 years of age, of either sex, weighing between 40-65 Kg, measuring more than 150 cm in height, of ASA Grade I and II who were undergoing orthopaedic lower limb surgeries were selected in order to study the quality of subarachnoid block and post-operative analgesia produced by a combination of bupivacaine clonidine and fentanyl in comparison with bupivacaine clonidine.
Materials and Methods: The patients were randomly divided in two groups of 50 each: Group BC: 2.4 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (12 mg) + 0.2 ml (30 μg) clonidine + 0.4 ml of 0.9% NaCl. Group BCF: 2.4 ml of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine (12 mg) + 0.2 ml (30 μg) clonidine + 0.4 ml (20 μg) of fentanyl. The total volume of solution in both the groups was 3.0 ml. The quality of subarachnoid block and post-operative analgesia were studied.
Statistical Analysis Used: The data thus obtained was statistically analysed using the following tests: Unpaired student's t-test. Average % change in data over baseline values to detect trends. A 'P' value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.
Results: There was no significant difference in duration of sensory and motor blockade in group BCF compared to BC. The duration of analgesia as assessed by, either VAS score of >5 or demand of additional analgesia was > 524.6 ± 32.21 mins in group BC and > 774.4 ± 59.59 mins in group BCF. This prolongation of duration of analgesia in group BCF compared to group BC has statistical significance. Blood pressure and heart rate changes were not significantly different among groups, whereas sedation and pruritus were significantly more frequent in Group BCF.
Conclusions: In conclusion, this study has demonstrated that addition of 20 μg fentanyl to intrathecal 30 μg clonidine and 12 mg bupivacaine enhanced the duration of post-operative analgesia with moderately increased sedation and was not associated with hemodynamic instability or other complications.

Background: Direct laryngoscopy and endotracheal intubation always trigger powerful cardiovascular responses. Various attempts have been made to attenuate these responses. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of esmolol and lidocaine for suppressing cardiovascular response to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in a normotensive African population.
Materials and Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted in 120 adult patients of American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II undergoing various elective surgeries. The patients were randomly divided into three groups of 40 patients in each group - C, L, and E. Group - "C" received no drug (control) as placebo, group -"L" received 1.5 mg kg -1 preservative free lidocaine and group -"E" received 2 mg kg -1 esmolol IV 2 min before intubation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rate-pressure product (RPP) were measured before induction as baseline and after tracheal intubation at minute 1, 3, and 5. The patients were randomly allocated to receive either saline (Group C), lidocaine 1.5 mg/kg (Group L), or esmolol 2 mg/kg (Group E) (n = 40, each group). After induction of general anesthesia with thiopental 6 mg/kg and vecuronium 0.12 mg/kg, the test solution was infused 2 min before tracheal intubation. Changes in heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), and rate-pressure product (RPP) were measured before induction of general anesthesia (baseline), 1, 3, and 5 min after tracheal intubation. Patients were also observed for any complications.
Results: There was a significant increase in HR, SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPP from the base line in control group "C" at 1 min with onward decreases at 3 and 5 min respectively after intubation. Percentage change in hemodynamic variables in groups C, L, and E at 1 min are as follows: HR = 30.45, 26.00, and 1.50%; MAP = 20.80, 15.89, and 10.20%; RPP = 61.44, 40.86, and 11.68%, respectively. Only patients receiving placebo had increased HR, MAP, and RPP values after intubation compared with baseline values (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Prophylactic therapy with 2 mg kg -1 esmolol is more effective and safe for attenuating cardiovascular responses to laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation in a black population.